List of haunted locations in the Philippines

One of the principal buildings housing internees at the Santo Tomas Internment Camp was the Education building (now UST Hospital building). Shanties and vegetable gardens can be seen near the building and the wall of the university compound is in the background.

There are several reportedly haunted locations in the Philippines, reportedly haunted as such by ghosts or other supernatural beings, including demons. Reports of haunted locations are part of ghostlore, which is a form of folklore.

Luzon

• One of the most prestigious educational institutions of the country, Ateneo de Manila University is said to be haunted. The old Communication department building is considered by most Atenean students as the most haunted place of the university; the 2nd floor is reported to be haunted by faint figures of a mother and a child (both are said to possess a white aura), in addition to the specter of a deceased Jesuit priest. In Cervini and Eliazo dormitories, a female ghost is said to haunt in one of the communal restrooms; she is said to be the ghost of a chain-smoking female dormer who was robbed and shot during semestral break. The Philippine Institute of Pure and Applied Chemistry (PIPAC) building is reportedly haunted by a former janitor who was trapped inside the building (to die soon due to suffocation) after the exits were tightly sealed to preserve all the chemicals stored inside.^[1]

Diplomat Hotel, one of Baguio's reportedly haunted locations.

• The largest city of Northern Luzon and a noted tourist destination, Baguio is said to be highly haunted. Aside from the Philippine Military Academy and Teachers' Camp, there are other haunted places scattered throughout the city, such as cemeteries, old hotels and other sites where structures used to stand until the 1990 Luzon earthquake destroyed them, injuring and killing the people inside. The abandoned Diplomat Hotel at Dominican Hill is one of the haunted places and has been a site of executions done by the Japanese during World War II. The Laperal White House, now owned by one of the prominent Filipino-Chinese business magnate billionaires, Lucio Tan, is also reportedly haunted.^[2][3][4]

Bahay na Pula

• Bahay na Pula, also known as the Ilusorio Mansion, is a former hacienda in Barangay Anyatam, San Ildefonso, Bulacan. During World War II the property was used by the Imperial Japanese Army as barracks and became a place where so-called local comfort women were forced to work. Paranormal activities include chains dragging on the floors, and balls and coins bouncing down the stairs. Some residents also claim that there is a hidden treasure underneath the mansion that is said to be guarded by snakes.^[5][6]
• A major residential avenue in New Manila, Quezon City, Balete Drive is noted as the site of several apparitions of a white lady. She is said to be the ghost of a teenage girl who either died in a car accident along the avenue, or was raped and killed by a taxi driver (both are said to have occurred in the 1950s). Another theory claims that she was killed by Japanese soldiers during World War II. It is possible that the white lady is seeking revenge.^[7][8] Skeptics dismiss this urban legend, however, and insist that this is a total fabrication of a newspaper reporter.^[9]
• Located in Pampanga, Clark Air Base Hospital is considered as the most haunted location in the Philippines. During the Second World War (and later, the Vietnam War), it was an asylum to the wounded (and dying) American soldiers. It witnessed trauma and other kinds of negativity during those years. There are reports of screams, apparitions, voices, and footsteps by both guards and visitors. There are also reports of unwelcoming presence in the now-abandoned hospital.^[10] The base itself is said to be haunted; a young woman dressed in white is said to hail a taxi late at night (when the taxi is about to pass by the hospital), later to disappear from the vehicle en route.^[11] The "white lady" legend has been in existence since the 1970s. Ghost Hunters International visited the hospital in 2009, and confirmed the paranormal activities in the site.^[12]

Corregidor Hospital Ruins

• A small but historic island located at the entrance of Manila Bay off the southern coast of Bataan, Corregidor played a major role during World War II, during the invasion and liberation of the Philippines from Japanese forces. Now a national monument, Corregidor is said to be haunted by soldiers who died during the said war. One such reportedly haunted location on the island is the Malinta Tunnel, which witnessed the deaths of many soldiers.^[11][13]
• The leading educational institution of the City of Manila, De La Salle University is a major witness to the Second World War. The Main Building witnessed the deaths of numerous World War II-era soldiers. The Chapel of the Most Blessed Sacrament (MBS Chapel), in the Main Building, was used as a refuge by many La Sallians and several civilian families. Almost all of them were brutally massacred by Japanese Imperial forces. Before leaving, the Japanese attempted to set the chapel on fire which failed; the arson burned only a few portions of the chapel. Of the 70 people who sought refuge in the chapel, only 10 would survive. The specters of those World War II victims are said to haunt the chapel.^[14]
• A historic fortress in Intramuros, Manila, Fort Santiago is said to be haunted by ghosts of World War II soldiers, as well as civilian victims of the said war.^[4]
• Malacañang Palace, the official residence and principal workplace of the President of the Philippines, is said to be haunted. The specters of late presidents Manuel L. Quezón, Manuel Roxas, and Ramon Magsaysay are rumored to haunt the palace. The ghosts of several former presidential aides and attendants are also said to haunt it, including a Chinese valet that has been identified by some as the Quezóns' Chinese cook, 'Aching', who was said to have died by heart attack. Several palace employees have claimed that lights in the Quezón Executive Office in Kalayaan Hall would switch on by themselves at the late hours of the night. The Heroes Hall is said to be haunted by a ghost in pre-Hispanic clothing. Other areas of reported paranormal activity in the palace include the Mabini Hall, the Correspondence Office, the New Executive Building, and the Music Room. At the main entrance to the Freedom Park (at the grounds of the Malacañang fronting the Administration and Executive Buildings) is a large balete tree, said to be the home of a kapre (a large smoking black giant from the Philippine folklore).^[11][15]

View of the Manila City Hall at dawn.

• The seat of the city government of Manila, Manila City Hall is reportedly haunted. City hall employees have claimed to have felt ghostly presences after 6:00 p.m. at night. It can be observed that the whole building has a shape resembling a casket when viewed from above, despite being shaped like and modeled after an Inquisition-era crusader's shield. A man was reported to have committed suicide by hanging at the city hall's clock tower.^[11][16]

Manila Film Center

• A major component of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila Film Center was the site of a construction accident in 1981. When construction of the building was rushed for a film festival, the ceiling scaffolding collapsed, killing several workmen. Rather than halt construction to rescue survivors and retrieve the bodies of the dead workmen, Imelda Marcos, the First Lady and the main financier of the project, was believed to have ordered cement to be poured into the orchestra, entombing the fallen workmen, some of whom were even buried alive. Various ghostly activities have been reported in the building, including mysterious sounds, voices and poltergeist activity. In the late 1990s, a group called the Spirit Questors began to make visits to the film center, in an attempt to contact and appease the souls of the workmen who were killed in the building. Some of these spirits claimed to have moved on, but a few allegedly remain.^[17] The facility, formerly abandoned due to its reputation, is now in use after restoration works.
• The Manila Metropolitan Theater, which survived World War II and subsequent deterioration, is rumored to be haunted by a female performer who was killed in an accident en route to her show there. Workers tasked with maintaining and restoring the theater claimed to hear disembodied voices and singing at night. The theater is currently under the ownership of the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and targets to restore the entire building to its former glory.

Mapanuepe Lake in 1992.

• Mapanuepe Lake is a freshwater lake located at the outskirts of San Marcelino, Zambales, that was created after the cataclysmic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. It is said to be the home of mysterious, giant, and black fish-like creatures, as reported by local fisherman. It was featured on American television series Destination Truth.^[18]
• Located on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, Miriam College is said to be haunted by the ghost of a nun who haunts the ladies' restroom at the 2nd floor of the Caritas Building. She reportedly peeks over the stall while girls are using the restroom.^[19]
• Mount Makiling is a mountain and a popular hiking destination located at the borders of Laguna and Batangas provinces, southern Luzón. It is a focal point of a notable folk legend in the Philippine mythology. This legend holds that the mountain is being guarded by Maria Makiling. The contour of the mountain is said to be that of her in a reclining position.^[20]
• Mount San Cristobal is a mountain located in Dolores, Quezon province. According to a folk legend, the mountain is called the "Devil's mountain", and the opposite of Mount Banahaw, the neighboring mountain to the northeast, which is considered as the "Holy Mountain". Local residents believe that the mountain gives off negative energy. There are also reports of mysterious voices and the apparition of a supernatural creature called 'Tumao'.^[21]
• The Old Stone House is the oldest house of Tiaong, Quezon that was abandoned many years ago and is now deteriorating due to decades of disuse. It is said to be haunted by headless soldiers in Japanese uniforms, with helmets in hand. An apparition of an elderly couple in regal white clothing has also been sighted; they slowly descend the circular steps of the house.^[22]

Ozone Disco building in 2008.

• Ozone Disco was a discothèque in Quezon City that was the site of the worst fire in the Philippine history.^[23] Opened in 1991, it was operated by Westwood Entertainment Company, Inc.^[24][25] The fire occurred before midnight on March 18, 1996, and at that time there were around 350 patrons and 40 club employees inside the disco, though it had been approved for occupancy for only 35 persons.^[26][25] Most of the guests were high school and college students attending graduation or end-of-the-school-year celebrations.^[27] The fire killed at least 162 people and injured at least 95.^[25] After the fire the structure that housed the former disco remained standing, albeit idle.^[28] However, some residents near the site report hearing spectral disco music at night and seeing faint figures dancing.^[11][29] The structure was demolished in 2015,^[30] and the site is now presently occupied by GoodAh!!!, a 24-hour diner, co-operated by Boy Abunda, and paranormal activities in the area were claimed to have greatly minimized ever since.^[31]
• The Pindangan Ruins, located in San Juan, La Union, is said to be haunted by a headless stabbed priest who roams around the site at night. He reportedly either carries his severed head or searching for it.^[4][32][33]
• Starmall Alabang, formerly known as Metropolis, is a community mall in Muntinlupa. Several moviegoers have claimed that its cinemas are haunted by ghosts who join them in watching movies.^[16] There are also claims of pickpocketing ghosts and store owners hearing eerie noises. The mall is situated on the former site of the Alabang Cemetery.^[4]
• Two of the University of the Philippines campuses, both the flagship campus in Diliman, Quezon City and a branch in Los Baños, Laguna, are paranormal hotspots.
  • In the Diliman campus, the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater (at the Palma Hall Building) is said to be haunted by the specter of "Marisa", a performing arts student who was said to be the theater's famous star, until newer, more talented performing arts students overshadowed her fame. This caused her grief, anger, and jealousy that eventually led her to commit suicide while performing onstage. Other paranormal hotspots in the Diliman campus are the College of Music (where several security guards on their usual rounds during nights have heard incorporeal vocal and instrumental sounds), Benitez Hall (home of the College of Education, is haunted by a former dean whose ashes were mixed with his portrait in the hall), and the Kalayaan Hall (which serves as a Freshman residence building).^[34] Diliman Campus is a witness to the Second World War and the Martial Law era of 1972-1981.
  • The Los Baños is also a paranormal hotspot and is a witness to the Second World War and the Japanese occupation. The Baker Memorial Hall was used as an internment camp of around 2,500 American and allied POWs and civilians 1943–1945 and headquarters for the Imperial Japanese forces stationed in Los Banos, Laguna. Some rooms in Baker Hall were also used as torture and death chambers by the Kempeitai, the secret police of the Imperial Japanese Army. It is said that every night the specters of garroted prisoners would appear.^[4][35] Aside from World War II, another paranormal activity in UPLB occurs in a haunted room in one of the dormitories of the campus, where someone was said to have committed suicide.^[32]
• The oldest existing university of Asia, University of Santo Tomas is said to be haunted due to the fact that its current site was an internment camp during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines of World War II. Most of the prisoners of war were "enemy aliens", mostly Americans, living in the Philippines. While the current site was an internment camp, the original campus in Intramuros was destroyed by Japanese forces, resulting in several casualties as well as some Dominican friars who were at the original Santo Domingo Church. Many of the internees were reported to have been murdered by the Japanese while several more would succumb to death by hunger or suicide.^[11] Anyone who tried to escape from the camp was tortured and executed. Two British and one Australian were recorded to have been murdered by Japanese forces after their escape. Aside from World War II, the university has its another paranormal activity. A girl was said to have committed suicide in the restroom of the university's Main Building, and she is said to now haunt that restroom.^[11]

Visayas

• The interiors of the province of Capiz, in Western Visayas, is rumored to be inhabited by various creatures such as aswang and manananggal.^[4]
• Founded by the American missionaries, the Central Philippine University in Iloilo, Western Visayas saw numerous executions of missionaries by the Japanese forces during World War II.^[36]
• There are claims of ghostly presences in the ruins of an old church inside a cemetery in Hamtic, Antique.^[4]
• The capital municipality of Antique province of Western Visayas, San Jose de Buenavista is said to be haunted by ghosts of Moro pirates, allegedly still protecting their hidden treasures. The site of the capital municipality was formerly a favorite landing place of the pirates who used to come and ravage the countryside. The Evelio B. Javier Freedom Park, in front of the provincial capitol, was the site where former provincial governor Evelio B. Javier was assassinated in 1986, and now it is said that his ghost would appear there occasionally. Other allegedly haunted areas in San Jose de Buenavista include the Old Provincial Capitol Building, Evelio B. Javier Memorabilia (inside the new Provincial Capitol Building), and San Pedro Old Church.^[4]
• Silliman University, a prestigious Presbyterian institution located in Dumaguete City, is also said to be haunted. The school itself has been used as a station for Japanese forces during the Second World War. Among the many haunted buildings in the place are as follows.
  • Channon Hall - This building, a female dormitory, was used as a Kempeitai headquarters during the war and dozens of atrocities happened in this hall. A few rooms of this building was used as a torture chamber for the Japanese wherein some who are accused as spies and others who are not loyal to them were brutally interrogated. A black lady is known to haunt the said rooms while one student witnessed a bloodied arm moving. Faucets in the building's bathroom are said to turn on and off on their own.
  • Doltz Hall - one of the many male dormitories of the campus. A student from the American and Japanese occupations is said to appear to male students in the late hours of night.
  • Edith Carson Hall - A regular dormitory that also houses female students, as well as employees, where a white lady has been spotted by female students who reside in the hall. One notorious case is that the entity was spotted by a female student who left the bathroom after a power outage.
  • Katipunan Hall - The hall was a former general hospital in the entire Dumaguete area where some casualties of the war were brought while some have died while in confinement.
• Siquijor, an island-province in Central Visayas, has been commonly associated with mystic traditions that the island's growing tourism industry capitalizes on. Its ties to faith healers, magic, and sorcery attracts (and repulses) visitors.^[37]

See also

• Ghosts in Filipino culture
• List of reportedly haunted locations
• Philippine mythical creatures

References

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